Vacuum loader and process for removing asbestos and other particulate material

ABSTRACT

A unique vacuum loader and process is provided to efficiently remove, effectively collect, and safely dispose asbestos, hazardous material, and other particulate matter under continuous negative pressure during all phases of operation while preventing emissions of asbestos and other particulates to the atmosphere. In the preferred embodiment, the vacuum loader comprises a four stage, dual unit, machine with a trailerable separation and filtration unit to centrifugal separate, dedust, and filter dust laden fluid and a portable bagger unit to safely discharge the removed asbestos or other material into bags or other containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to machines and processes for removing dry andwet liquid particulates, and more particularly, to a vacuum cleanerloader and process for removing asbestos and other particulate material.

Government studies and numerous health reports have linked exposure toasbestos fibers with serious diseases including asbestoses, fibrosis,and lung cancer. Asbestoses has also been thought to cause or aggravateother maladies, such as emphysema, tuberculosis, bronchitis, asthma,pneumonia, inflammations, and infections. Many people who worked inasbestos manufacturing plants or who were employed installing asbestosinsulation, have developed cancer and died.

For many decades, asbestos was commonly used as an insulator for houses,schools, factories, and public buildings. Asbestos fibers are readilycirculated in the air and are dangerous if inhaled. The presence ofasbestos in insulation in buildings can be harmful and injurious to thehealth, safety, and well being of children and adults alike.

Contamination of buildings with asbestos insulation can be cured byremoving the asbestos. Asbestos removal, however, is not easy. Variousindustrial vacuum cleaners, loaders, and collectors have been tried buthave not been very effective. Furthermore, collection, and disposal ofasbestos with conventional prior art equipment often exposes theoperator and surrounding personnel to concentrated amounts of thecollected asbestos, which can be dangerous, harmful, and even fatal.

Also, in industry, voluminous amounts of particulate matter, debris,dust, waste, and other hazardous material are emitted during machining,foundry, milling, shipment, warehousing, assembling, fabricating, andother manufacturing operations. Particulates of hazardous materialemitted during a manufacturing operation can include metal slivers,plastic chips, wood shavings, dirt, sand, and other debris. Particulatesaccumulate on floors, machines, packaging materials, equipment, andpersonnel. Particulates of hazardous material can also be carried andcirculated in the air and can be harmful, if breathed, swallowed, orstuck in an eye. Particulates of hazardous material can damage, erode,and adversely effect the efficiency and operability of equipment.Hazardous material can also pollute the atmosphere. It may also impairthe quality of the products manufactured.

Asbestos emissions and emissions of other hazardous material are notonly dangerous and troublesome, but are particularly aggravating andgrievous in schools, houses, public buildings, and where relativelydust-free conditions and sterile environments are required, such as infood processing plants and medical supply houses.

Over the years a variety of vacuum cleaners, industrial dust collectors,and other equipment have been suggested for removing industrial dust anddebris and for other purposes. Typifying these vacuum cleaners,industrial dust collectors, and other equipment are those found in U.S.Pat. Nos. 485,915, 795,412, 2,276,805, 2,372,316, 2,467,503, 2,496,180,2,604,956, 2,720,278, 3,320,727, 3,485,671, 3,541,631, 3,554,520,3,577,705, 3,608,283, 3,650,420, 3,653,190, 3,717,901, 3,731,464,3,751,881, 3,780,502, 3,842,461, 3,877,902, 3,951,623, 3,955,236,3,961,655, 3,970,489, 3,999,653, 4,007,026, 4,010,784, 4,032,424,4,036,614, 4,062,664, 4,099,937, 4,111,670, 4,174,206, 4,207,937,4,224,043, 4,229,193, 4,272,254, 4,307,764, 4,443,235, 4,504,292, and4,467,494. These prior art vacuum cleaners, industrial dust collectors,and other equipment have met with varying degrees of success.

It is, therefore, desirable to provide an improved vacuum loader andprocess which overcomes most, if not all, of the preceding problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An improved vacuum loader and process is provided to remove, collect,seal, and dispose asbestos, hazardous material, and other particulatematter without exposing surrounding personnel to the collected material.Advantageously, the vacuum loader is efficient, effective and safe. Inthe preferred form, the novel vacuum loader comprises a unique fourstage industrial asbestos and particulate material collector with aseparate bagger unit and a trailerable separation and filtration unit.

The novel vacuum loader has a first separator which is preferably in theform of a special bagger unit with a first cyclone to partially dedustand separate a substantial amount of particulates from a dusty fluid.The vacuum loader also has a second separator which is positioneddownstream of the first separator. The second separator preferably has asecond cyclone to further dedust and remove most of the remainingparticulates from the partially dedusted fluid. Desirably, a reinjectioncompartment is positioned between the first and second separators tocollect the particulates removed by the second separator andsequentially feed the removed particulates to the first separator via ahose or other conduit.

The novel vacuum loader has a special bulk separator with at least onecyclone to partially dedust, separate, and remove a substantial amountof asbestos and other material from a dust laden fluid. At least one andpreferably two filtering compartments are positioned downstream andcommunicate with the bulk separator. The filtering compartments cancontain filter canisters with tubular filters, Hepa-type filters orbox-type filters. Other types of filters can also be used.

The removed asbestos and other material is dispensed in a container by afilling member of a vacuum operated bagger unit. The container cancomprise one or more flexible bags, or a bag in a drum. Other types ofcontainers such as barrels, bins, receptacles, and vessels can be used.The bags can be made of plastic, fabric, paper, rubber, woven metal, orother material.

In the preferred form, a first cyclone is positioned in an upper bulkseparation chamber of the bagger unit, and a second cyclone is positionin a second stage bulk separation compartment below a third stagefiltration compartment and along side a fourth stage filteringcompartment. The cyclones can comprise centrifugal or tangentialcyclones. Air pulse injectors, vibrators, or mechanical shakers can beprovided to clean the filters. A dual valve reinjection compartment canbe positioned below the second stage bulk separation compartment tocollect the removed asbestos and other material from the second stagebulk separation compartment and convey (recycle) the collected asbestosand other particulate material to the bagger unit.

Desirably, the direct bagger unit has a support platform or moveableplaten to support a bag or other container. In the preferred form, thebagger unit also has at least one deflector to minimize backflow of theremoved asbestos and other material. The deflector can comprise atriangular deflector, a conical baffle, a spiral baffle, a helicalbaffle, or an annular ring-like baffle. The filling member of the baggerunit can comprise a tubular vacuum cylinder with holes or apertures torelieve negative pressure.

In order to effectively remove asbestos, hazardous material, and otherparticulate matter, the container is positioned about the dischargeopening of the bagger unit's filling member, which preferably comprisesa tubular vacuum cylinder, and a platen is elevated against thecontainer. Dusty influent fluid laden containing dust (asbestos,hazardous material, and/or other particulate matter) is drawn and suckedinto the inlet of the bagger unit and the removed dust, which can beremoved by the centrifugal cyclone, is dispensed through the fillingmember into a bag or other container under suction and negativepressure. Preferably, the bottom of the bag or other container isabuttingly engaged and supported by a moveable platen which is elevatedto a position adjacent the discharge opening of the tubular vacuumcylinder during startup. Desirably, the bag is sealed and securelyretained to the tubular vacuum cylinder by a retainer, such as anelastomeric band. After the bag is filled to a desired amount, theplaten is lowered and the bag will slide downwardly under the weight ofthe collected material. Advantageously, the novel vacuum loader andprocess prevent asbestos or other hazardous material from contacting andcontaminating the exterior of the bag and from being emitted to theatmosphere about the operator.

After a substantial amount of asbestos or other material has beendispensed into the bag, through the vacuum cylinder which is partiallyenclosed by the bag, dispensing is suspended, the platen is lowered, thesubstantially filled bag is turned, spun, and twisted, tied with a twisttie, clip, or heat sealed, and subsequently severed (cut) leaving aremnant about the vacuum cylinder. The severed bag is removed andtransported for safe disposal. A new bag is slipped over the remnant andsecured to the vacuum cylinder and the dispensing (fill) cycle isrepeated.

In the preferred process, partially dusty fluid is discharged from thebagger unit and centrifugally separated in a cyclone of a trailerableseparation and filtration unit. The centrifugally separated fluid can bepartially filtered in a set of tubular filters and subsequently filteredin a Hepa-type filter. Asbestos and other particulate matter removed inthe trailerable separation and filtration unit is preferably fed back tothe bagger unit.

The direct bagger unit and the reinjection system provide new and uniquematerial vacuuming equipment and methods that substantially preventexposure and leakage of hazardous dust into the atmosphere, from thevacuuming hose inlet to the direct bagger unit, during the vacuuming ofwet asbestos, asbestos contaminated soil/sand, wet/dry materials, andcontaminated liquids. The total collection of vacuumed material directlyinto plastic bags, with or without a drum, as is achieved by the noveldirect bagger unit is very desirable to minimize any possibility ofpersonnel exposure to the asbestos and other vacuumed material.Additionally, the novel complete vacuuming system is under continuousnegative pressure from the vacuuming hose inlet port to the vacuumproducing pump inlet port during all vacuuming cycles which is a verydesirable factor in eliminating the possibility of dust particle releaseinto the atmosphere.

Preferably, the contaminated material is vacuum conveyed under negativepressure to the direct bagger unit, after passing through thereinjection system, which can be up to 1,000 feet away from the inletport of the vacuuming hose when vacuuming wetted asbestos, or up to 500feet away from the inlet port of the vacuuming hose when vacuumingcontaminated dry soil. The vacuumed dusty material then enters thedirect bagger unit which centrifugally separates out the bulk of thevacuumed material from the air stream for depositing directly into asteel, plastic, or fiber drum and/or a single, double, or more plasticbags. This unique method of dust free bag filling is made possible by avacuum supporting cylinder which the plastic containment bags areslipped over and retained in place by a rubber band or other suitabletype retainer placed around it by the operator. For ease of storage andconvenience, the rubber retainer bands can be stored near the top of thevacuum cylinder. The operator can raise the rubber faced platen up toseal off the vacuum cylinder's full bottom orifice by depressing theraise side of the closed-center foot operated valve, which is locatedadjacent to the bagger support base, resulting in a tight (about 100%)vacuum seal for vacuum collection of material. Additionally, a steel,plastic, or fiber drum, such as a 55 gallon drum, can be placed underthe plastic bag that is covering the vacuum cylinder for furthercontainment and support.

A safety foot valve is provided to raise and lower the lift platen.Desirably, the safety foot valve frees the operator's hands foradditional operational functions. Also, with the closed-center footvalve feature, the operator can stop the platen at any desired heightwhen lowering it away from the vacuum cylinder. The desired platenheight will vary with various bag fill level requirements. After theplaten is raised and sealed against the bottom of the bag covered vacuumcylinder, another bag fill can commence by pushing the remote vacuumstart button which will shut the vacuum breaker located at the vacuumpump inlet port.

The operator can view the vacuum filling of the cylinder through clearplastic observation ports located in the vacuum cylinder's verticalwall. When the desired material level is reached, the operator can pusha remote electrical stop button which will slowly open the vacuumbreaker and automatically drop the vacuum pump's engine to idle. Thisvacuum breaker valve will bypass approximately 80% of the air flow whichwill cause the vacuuming and flow of material to cease. The remaining20% air flow will continue to pass through the entire system, includingthe vacuuming hose line from its inlet port through the reinjectionsystem to the direct bagger unit, as well as the discharge air line fromthe direct bagger unit to the vacuum power unit including its filtrationsystem that incorporates a final absolute Hepa filter cartridge. Theengine or motor driven positive displacement vacuum pump preferably runsat all times providing continuous negative air to the entire system,even during bag removal and replacement of the filled bag.

The operator can lower the platen along with the partially filledplastic bag by depressing the down button or lowering side of the safetyfoot valve. As this occurs, more collected material will slide out fromthe interior of the vacuum cylinder directly into the bag. Prior to thebag's retainer band sliding off the bottom end of the vacuum cylinder,the operator will stop the platen's descent, preferably spin the filledplastic bag to achieve a twist for taping, strapping, wire tieing,clipping, or heat sealing. The bag can be tied without twisting, if sodesired. The operator can then cut at the center portion of the twistwith a scissors, shears, tree pruner, knife, etc. Afterwards, theoperator can remove the filled bag from the platen and transfer it to atruck or other area for storage and disposal.

The upper section (remnant) of the plastic bag remains on the vacuumcylinder to provide a continuous negative air seal and prevent asbestosemissions. After the filled bag is removed, the operator can slipanother plastic bag up over the previous bag's upper section (remnant)near the top of the vacuum cylinder and bring down another retainer bandover the top end of the new plastic bag. The operator can then raise theplaten up against the bag covered opening of the vacuum cylinder bydepressing the raise side of the closed-center foot operated valve.After the platen is raised, another bag fill cycle (sequence) cancommence by pushing the remote vacuum start button which will again shutthe vacuum breaker and bring the engine and vacuum pump up to operatingspeed.

In the preferred form, a vacuuming inlet hose from the work area, whichcommunicates with and is connected to the reinjection system, will pickup any carry over dust emitted from the direct bagger unit. Afterentering, depositing material, and exiting from the direct bagger unit,the air containing entrained particulates of dust can be vacuumed via anair inlet line to the inlet port of the second stage cyclone separatorwhich will centrifugally separate most of the carry over dust from theair stream for settlement and eventual flow through dual air lock valvesof the reinjection system positioned below the second stage cycloneseparator. The cleaner air is directed to flow upwardly and be filteredby high efficiency cartridge filters. The cartridge filters candesirably filter particulates to under 1/2 micron. Collected dust on thefilter surface can be reverse compressed air-pulse released fordischarge through the dual air lock valves of the reinjection system andreinjection into the vacuuming recycle line for redepositing into thedirect bagger unit. The bagger unit provides a unitary asbestos depositand removal point.

The reinjection system deposits any carryover dust emitted from thedirect bagger unit into a dust reservoir tube located between the dualautomatic time-cycled air lock valves for recycle back into the directbagger unit. Preferably, during the vacuuming process, the top valvewill remain open for a time period to fill the reservoir tube by about50%. During this time period, the lower valve will remain shut. When thereservoir tube reaches 50% full, the top valve will close. After anoverlap period of two seconds, where both valves are closed to maintainan air lock, the bottom valve will open allowing the collected particlesto drop down and be swept away by the air stream in the vacuuming linebelow. After a certain period of time, such as three seconds, the bottomvalve will close. after another overlap time period, where both valvesare again closed to maintain an air lock, the top valve will again openfor another 50% fill time period. The automatic cycle timer willcontinue cycling until the vacuum breaker is opened or the power unit isturned off to provide substantially continuous reinjection of carry overdust.

In the preferred form, the vacuum loader has four stages. The firststage comprises a direct bagger with a centrifugal cyclone to separatethe bulk of material vacuumed for deposit directly into the collectionbag or a bag inside a drum. The second stage has a cyclone whichcentrifugally separates out most of the carryover dust for depositthrough the reinjection system. The third stage includes a cartridgefiltration system which can filter out particulates of dust, preferablyat an efficiency of at least about 99.5% at 0.33 microns. The cartridgefiltration system can have automatic reverse compressed air-pulsecleaning circuits adjacent the membrane cartridge surfaces to dislodge,clean, and deposit the filtered particles in the reinjection system. Thefourth stage contains a final absolute Hepa cartridge filter for thefinal filtration of the air stream. The Hepa filter preferably has afiltration efficiency of not less than about 99.97% when tested with 0.3micron thermally generated particles.

In the preferred form, the vacuum loader has a vacuum power package witha positive displacement vacuum pump driven by a 80 BHP engine or motor.The vacuum pump can pull vacuums up to 16 inches mercury mercury (217inches water).

As used in this Patent Application, the term "dust" means particulatematter, debris and waste, including particulates of asbestos and/orother hazardous material.

The terms "dedust" and "dedusted" as used herein mean removing asubstantial amount of dust.

The term "fines" as used herein means small, minute, particulates.

A more detailed explanation of the invention is provided in thefollowing description and appended claims taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of vacuum loader with a bagger unit and atrailerable separation and filtration unit in accordance with principlesof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the platen positioned adjacentthe bottom of the vacuum cylinder of the bagger unit upon startup of thefill cycle and showing an optional drum containing the bag;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the bagger unit with a filledbag near the end of the fill cycle;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the vacuum loader;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the vacuum loader;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the bagger unit;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the platen positioned adjacentthe bottom of the vacuum cylinder of the bagger unit upon startup of thefill cycle; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the bagger unit duringdispensing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, a four stage trailerable, portable vacuumloader 10 (FIG. 1) provides a heavy duty vacuum operated machine andindustrial asbestos and hazardous waste material collector with a firststage direct bagger unit 12 and a multistage trailerable, separation andfiltration unit 14 for efficiently vacuuming, effectively removing,compactly containing, and safely disposing asbestos, hazardous material,and other particulate matter comprising dry, wet, or fluid entrained,flowable materials, such as fibers, slivers, chips, granular material,fibrous material, pellets, chunks, powders, slurries, liquids, debris,and/or waste. Advantageously, the vacuum loader 10 and bagger unit 12remove, collect, bag, seal, and dispose asbestos and other materialwithout contaminating the exterior of the bag or other container andwith out exposing the operator and other surrounding personnel to thecollected asbestos or other collected material.

Direct Bagger Unit

The first stage, vacuum powered, direct bagger unit 12 (FIGS. 1-7),which is also sometimes referred to as a bagging unit or bagger, has avacuum operated bagger assembly 16. The vacuum operated bagger assembly16 has an upper bulk separation chamber 18 with a roof 20 which providesa top and a lower asbestos dispensing chamber 22 which is positionedsubstantially below the upper bulk separation chamber 18. The upper bulkseparation chamber 18 contains a first centrifugal or tangential cyclone24. The cyclone 24 makes a gross cut, partially dedusts, separates, andremoves substantial amounts of particulates of asbestos and other dustymaterial from an influent dust laden air stream.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the upper bulk separation chamber 18 has aradial inlet port 26 which communicates with the first cyclone 24 tofeed the influent dusty air stream to the first cyclone 24. The upperbulk separation chamber also has an outlet port 28 which communicateswith the first cyclone 24 to discharge from the cyclone 24 partiallydedusted effluent air containing a lesser concentration of asbestos thanthe influent dusty air stream.

The lower asbestos dispensing chamber 22 of the bagger unit 12 (FIGS.1-7) has an elongated, substantially vertical, tubular vacuum cylinder30 which provides an asbestos filling member that extends downwardlybelow the cyclone 14 to discharge particulates of asbestos removed bythe cyclone 24. The vacuum cylinder 30 has an upper inlet portion 32which is positioned adjacent the cyclone 24 and has an open ended, lowerdischarge portion 34 with a downwardly facing discharge opening or mouth36 which positoned substantially below the cyclone 24. The lowerdischarge portion 34 has a seal gasket positioned about and adjacent thedischarge opening 36. The vacuum cylinder 30 has a set (array) of holesor apertures 31 (FIG. 8) to relieve negative pressure and suction whenthe bag 44 is filled and removed. The holes 31 can also be used to holdand grasp the bag 44 under suction and negative pressure without the useof a separate retainer. A pressure relief valve or trap door can also beused to relieve negative when the bag is filled and removed. The vacuumcylinder 30 can also have one or more transparent observation ports 33.

The vacuum operated bagger assembly 16 has a deflector 39 (FIG. 2) whichis positioned in proximity to the vacuum cylinder 30 to minimize andsubstantially prevent upward backflow and reentrainment of the asbestosand other dusty material. The deflector 39 preferably comprises atriangular baffle or conical defector with an upwardly pointing apexextending below the cyclone 24. One or more spiral baffles, helicalbaffles, annular baffles or rings, can also be used.

As shown in FIG. 1, an inlet and recycle flexible hose or conduit 42 isoperatively connected to and communicates with the inlet port 26 foringress of the influent dusty air stream into the cyclone 24 of thevacuum operated bagger assembly 16. A flexible outlet, discharge hose orconduit 43 is operatively connected to and communicates with the outletport 28 of the vacuum operated bagger assembly 16 for egress of thepartially dedusted effluent air from the upper chamber 18 of the vacuumoperated bagger assembly 16 into the separation and filtration unit 14for further dedusting.

In order to contain the asbestos or other collected material, a flexiblecontainer comprising an elongated expandable transparent bag 44 ispositioned externally about, abuts against, and is sealed to the outsidesurface of the upright cylindrical wall of the tubular vacuum cylinder30 to receive asbestos removed from the cyclone 24 through the tubularvacuum cylinder 30. A single or double ply bag 44 can be used. Aretainer 46, such as an elastomeric rubber band, strap, string, wire, ortie, can be used to securely attach and seal the upper portion of thebag 44 to the outside surface of the vacuum cylinder 30. Whiletransparent plastic bags are preferred for best results, it may bedesirable in come circumstances to use opaque bags or bags made out ofpaper, paperboard, fabric, fabric, rubber, or woven metal. Furthermore,in come circumstances it may be desirable to use rigid or semi-rigidcontainers, such as barrels, bins, receptacles, vessels, or drums madeof metal fiberglass, plastic, or wood, in conjunction with the bag tohold, contain, and support the bag, or in lieu of bags.

The bagger unit 12 (FIGS. 1 and 5-7) has a support base 50, withoptional wheels or casters. The base 50 can be positioned upon theground, floor, or pavement to stabilize and support the vacuum operatedbagger assembly 16. The base 50 has side members 52 and 54 (FIG. 6)which are positioned laterally outwardly of the vacuum operated assembly16 and has rearwardly inclined back members 56 and 58 which extendbetween and connect the side members 52 and 54 at a location that isspaced rearwardly of the vacuum operated bagger assembly 16.

An elongated upright arm assembly 60 (FIGS. 7 and 8) extends upwardlyfrom the base 50. The arm assembly 60 has a vertical elongated arm 62which is fixedly secured to and extends above the base 50 to a heightabove the vacuum cylinder 30. The vertical elongated arm 62 is spacedrearwardly of the vacuum operated bagger assembly 16. The arm assembly60 also has a horizontal overhead arm 64 which is cantilevered from andfixedly secured to an upper portion of the vertical elongated arm 62.The horizontal overhead arm 64 is substantially smaller than thevertical elongated arm 62 and extends forwardly of the verticalelongated arm 62 to engage the upper chamber 18 of the vacuum operatedbagger assembly 16. The arm assembly 16 has a pin or other connector 66(FIG. 6) to secure the horizontal overhead arm 64 to the upper chamber18 of the vacuum operated bagger assembly 16 and elevate and space thevacuum operated bagger assembly 16 above the base 50.

In order to support and seal the bottom of the bag 44, or a drum orother container containing the bag, there is provided a moveable platen70 (FIGS. 1 and 6) comprising a substantially horizontal, arcuatesupport platform 72 with a straight front edge 73 and an elastomeric pad74. The platen 70 abuttingly engages and supports the bottom of the bag44 or a drum 45 (FIG. 2) containing the bag 44. The platen 70 has anupright curved arcuate wall portion 76 (FIGS. 1 and 6) which provides agenerally triangular arcuate back that extends upwardly and rearwardlyfrom the horizontal support platform 72 to abuttingly engage and supporta side portion of the bag 44 or drum 45. As best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8,the platen 70 preferably has one or more spacer safely flanges 78 whichextends downwardly from the support platform 72 to elevate the supportplatform 72 above the ground to prevent the support platform 72 fromengaging and crushing the toes of the operator.

In the illustrative embodiment, a pneumatic power assembly 80 (FIGS.6-8) is provided to move the platen 70 up and down. The pneumatic powerassembly 80 comprises an upright elongated slotted cylindrical track 82which is mounted against the vertical elongated arm 62. A lift cylinder84 comprising a vertically reciprocating piston is positioned in theinterior of the track 82. A coupling member or assembly 86 securelyconnects the lift cylinder 84 to the back of the platen 70. A compressedair tank is operatively connected to the lift cylinder 84 via tubing. Inorder to selectively move the platen 70 as desired by the operator, asafety foot operated pedal valve 90 (FIG. 1) is provided. The footoperated pedal valve 90 is operatively connected by lines 91 to thecompressed air tanks and lift cylinder 84 to lower the platen 70 as thebag 44 is being filled with the asbestos or other dusty material and toraise the platen 70 during startup.

Trailerable Separation and Filtration Unit

The trailerable separation and filtration unit 14 (FIGS. 1, 4, and 5) isspaced externally of and moveable towards and away from the first stageseparate bagger unit 12. The separation and filtration unit 14 has asecond stage cyclone compartment 100 with a cyclone inlet 102 which isconnected to the outlet discharge hose 43 for receiving partiallydedusted air with carryover asbestos from the upper bulk separationchamber 18 of the bagger unit 12. The second stage cyclone compartment100 contains a second centrifugal or tangential cyclone 104 which isspaced externally and laterally from the first centrifugal cyclone 24 inthe upper bulk separation chamber 18 of the bagger unit 12 for furtherdedusting, separating, and removing a substantial amount of particulateof asbestos from the partially dedusted air from the first stage baggerunit 12.

The trailerable separation and filtration unit 14 (FIGS. 1, 4, and 5)has a third stage filtration compartment 110 which is positioned aboveand communicates with the second stage cyclone compartment 100. Thethird stage filtration compartment 110 has a filtration chamber 112 witha set of canisters 114-117 which contain tubular filters 118. Thetubular filters 118 are spaced along side of each other to partiallyfilter the effluent air containing particulates of asbestos and otherdusty material from the second stage cyclone compartment 100. A set ofair pulse injectors 121-124 are connected to compressed air tanks125-128 to periodically inject intermittent blasts of air upon thetubular filters 118 to help clean the tubular filters 118.

The third stage filtration compartment 110 is positioned above thesecond stage cyclone separation compartment 100 and along side andspaced laterally away from the bagger unit 12 and the fourth stageHepa-type filtering compartment 130. The open bottom portion of thethird stage filtering compartment 110 provides an inlet opening forentrance of the partially dedusted stream of air and/or liquid from thesecond stage tangential cyclone 104. The lower portion and annular outerportion of the third stage filtering compartment 110 can providecentrifugal or chamber which accelerates and/or passes the dusty airand/or liquid centrifugally with sufficient kinetic energy to remove asubstantial amount of particulates of dust from the dusty air and/orliquid before the dusty air and/or liquid enters and passes through thefilters 114-117 in the third stage filtering compartment 110.

In the preferred embodiment, the inner central portion of the thirdstage filtering compartment 110 provides a filter chamber that containsa concentric set or series of four tubular filters 114-117. Thefiltering compartment 110 has a set or series of four air injectors121-124 which are connected by compressed air lines or conduits tocompressed air tanks 125-128 to sequentially inject intermittent pulsesof air on the filters 114-117 to clean the filters. In somecircumstances, it may be desirable to use more or less filters,different types of filters, or other types of filter cleaning equipment,such as mechanical shakers and vibrators.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the third stage filtering compartment 110 hasa domed roof 129 or top above an annular cylinder or circular uprightwall 131. The upper portion of the wall 131 has an outwardly extending,circular flange which is sealed to the skirt of the domed roof 129 by arubber, annular circular gasket, o-ring, or seal. An intermediateconduit 132 is connected to and communicates with the domed roof 129 ofthe third stage filtering compartment 110 and the fourth stageHepa-filtering compartment 130. If desired, the filtering compartmentcan also have ports, slots, tubes, or nozzles for passing, conveying,and injecting the partially dedusted air containing asbestos fines andsmaller particulates of hazardous material into the cartridge filters.

The trailerable separation and filtration unit 14 (FIGS. 1, 4, and 5)also has a fourth stage filtration compartment 130. The fourth stagefiltration compartment 130 is positioned downstream and spaced laterallyaway from the third stage filtration compartment 110. The fourth stagefiltration compartment 130 is located generally along side of the secondstage cyclone compartment 100 and the third stage filtration compartment110. An intermediate conduit 132 connects the third stage filtrationcompartment 110 and the fourth stage filtration compartment 130.

The fourth stage filtration comparment 130 contains a Hepa-type filter134 to substantially filter, deduct, and remove the remainingparticulates of asbestos and other dusty material from the partiallyfiltered air which has exited the third stage filtration compartment110. The Hepa-type filter can be a model 13XT absolute Hepa filtermanufactured by Cambridge Filter Corporation of Syracuse, New York,having an efficiency of greater than 99.97% when tested with 0.3 micronthermally generated particles. Such filters have an X-body constructionwith tapered separators for high capacity capabilities and exceed theleak-free scan requirements set forth in Federal Standard 209 whentested to a penetration level of 0.001%. These filters can also have aglass or a glass-paper media, aluminum separators, a 16 gauge steelcasing, a urethane seal, and neoprene gaskets.

The Hepa-type filtering compartment 130 (FIG. 1) can have a chamber,housing, or Hepa-type filter tank 136 with a ceiling, floor, uprightside wall, and end walls. One of the walls can have one or more accessdoors 140 with a handle for access into the interior of the fourth stagefiltering compartment 130. The doors 140 can be sealed to the end wallsby a rubber gasket or seal.

The Hepa-type filtering compartment 130 can have a turnbuckle and clevishanger assembly with an upper vertical bar which is connected to andhangs downwardly from the ceiling. The turnbuckle and clevis hangerassembly can have a pair of cross bars which can be hooked to theceiling by a chain. The turnbuckle and clevis hanger assembly can have alower vertical bar which can be connected to a horizontal C-bar andfilter support. The Hepa-type filter can hang downwardly from and besupported and carried by the C-bar and filter support.

As best shown in FIG. 5, a dual valve reinjection compartment 150 islocated below and communicates with the second stage cyclone compartment100 via a frustoconical hopper 151. The reinjection compartment 150 hasa resevoir tube 153 comprising a cylindrical or tubular collectionchamber to collect and receive the asbestos and other dusty materialremoved by the second tangential cyclone 140 in the second stage cyclonecompartment 100. The reinjection compartment 150 has an outlet 152connected to and communicating with the recycle hose 42 to feed thecollected asbestos and other dusty material, as well as the influentdusty air laden with particulates of asbestos, to the bagger unit 12. Aninlet 154 (FIGS. 1 and 4) communicates with the reinjection compartment150 via an intake tee. A flexible influent hose 156 is connected to theinlet 154 to feed influent dusty air laden with particulates of asbestosand other dusty material to the reinjection compartment 150.

The reinjection compartment 150 (FIG. 5) has a first upper valve 158 anda second lower valve 160. The first upper valve 158 is normally open topermit passage of the asbestos and other dusty material removed from thetangential cyclone 140 of the second stage cyclone compartment 100 intothe reinjection compartment 150. The first upper valve 158 can be closedto substantially lock and prevent passage of the asbestos and otherdusty material removed from the tangential cyclone 104 of the secondstage cyclone compartment 100 into the reinjection compartment 150 whenthe second lower valve 160 is open. The second lower valve 160 can benormally closed when the first upper valve 158 is open and when the bag44 is filled to substantially block and prevent passage of the influentdusty air and the collected asbestos and the other dusty material in thereinjection compartment 150 into the bagger unit 12. The second lowervalve 160 can be open when the first upper valve 158 is closed to permitingress of the influent dusty air and the collected asbestos and otherdusty material in the reinjection compartment 150 into the bagger unit12. The reinjection airlock-feed system can also comprise a rotary airlock valve, a pinch type air lock valve, or any other air lock feedvalve system.

A vacuum pump 170 (FIGS. 4 and 5) communicates with the compartments100, 110, and 130 and the bagger unit 12 to draw and suck air or otherfluid containing the particulates of asbestos and other dusty materialthrough the compartments 100, 110, and 130 and the bagger unit 12. Thevacuum pump 170 communicates with a muffler or exhaust silencer 172 andan overhead vent 174 via an exhaust conduit 175 (FIG. 4). The vacuumpump 170 can include a pneumatic pump, air blower, fan, turbine, orcompressor.

The vacuum loader 10 can also have a 12 volt control panel 176 (FIG. 1),which when energized and activated, provides 12 voltage and power forthe operation of a solenoid valve connected to the vacuum breaker 178(FIG. 5), as well as four solenoid air valves connected to the primaryfilter cartridge's reverse pulse cleaning circuit, and two solenoid airvalves connected to the dust reinjection system's dual air lock valves158 and 160. The control panel 176 (FIG. 1) can have gauges, such as apump gauge to indicate the vacuum in inches of mercury (Hg) at thevacuum pump 170, a primary filter differential gauge, and a finalabsolute Hepa filter differential gauge. The control panel 176 can alsohave switches to limit filtering operation between 0.07 inches and 5inches of H₂ O across the Hepa filter 134. In the preferred controlpanel 176, less than 0.07" H₂ O differential across the Hepa filter 134indicates that there is no absolute Hepa filter 134 in third filteringcompartment housing 130. Over 5" H₂ O differential indicates that theHepa filter 134 was at maximum dust loading requiring immediatereplacement. The vacuum breakers 178 are electrically connected toremain open and prevent vacuuming if either of the preceding conditionsexits.

The towable, over the road, trailer-mounted, vacuum loader 10 inconjunction with the direct bagger unit 12 is capable of vacuumingasbestos, fibrous material, and wet and/or dry flowable particulatematter, such as granular material, chunks, powders, liquids, slurries,pellets, etc. In the preferred embodiment, the vacuum loader 10 has a 80hp, engine or motor 180 (FIG. 5) which drives a positive displacementvacuum pump 170 to provide air flow for up to a 6 inch diameter hoseoperation and vacuum wet/dry fibrous materials and contaminated soil atup to 16 inches mercury (Hg) vacuum. The vacuum pump engine or motorpackage can be equipped with a drive guard 178 (FIG. 5), base, engine ormotor vacuum pump controls, gauges, exhaust silencer 172, starterswitch, and throttle. The vacuum loader 10 can also have a 20 scfm, 10HP engine or motor driven compressed air package to provide compressedair for reverse air-pulse filter cleaning and the air actuated valves158 and 160. The compressor-engine package can be equipped with a driveguard 182, base, controls, exhaust muffler, and starter switch.

The vacuum loader 10 can also have a 12 volt electrical control panel176 (FIG. 1) equipped with: a vacuum pump gauge, vacuum differentialgauges, switches, start/stop push buttons, a cartridge filter cleaningpulse timer circuitry package, indicating lights, relays, a Hepa filtermonitoring gauge, and a timer/circuitry package for the reinjectionsystem. Desirably, the vacuum loader 10 has a pneumatic circuit andvalves for operation of vacuum breaker 178 (FIG. 5), reinjection systemair lock valves 158 and 160, and reverse air-pulse circuit. The vacuumloader 10 can also have a sound enclosure 184 (FIG. 5) for approximately99 DBA at 3 meters distance from the outdoors.

In the preferred embodiment, the vacuum loader 10 (FIGS. 1, 4, and 5) issupported on a common base frame for mounting on a 10,000 lb. loadcapacity over-the-road trailer 186. The over the road tandem axletrailer 186 can be equipped with hydraulic surge brakes, a break-awayemergency brake system, emergency brakes, a lighting system, break-awaychains, and four 7,000 lb. jack stands 189. The tandem axle trailer 186can be towed by a 7,200 lb. tow bar capacity truck. The trailer 186 canhave a main frame 188 made of carbon steel, stainless steel, anodizedsteel, or other metal. The trailer 186 has a tow bar 190 which canextend longitudinally outwardly from the abutment plate or flange plate192 along the longitudinal centerline of the trailer assembly 186. Thetow bar 190 can have a drum ball tow coupler and tow hitch to enable thevacuum loader 10 to be pulled to the collection or storage site by a towtruck or other suitable vehicle equipped with a mating tow bar, ball, orhitch. The tow bar 190 can be connected to a top wind jack with an uppercrank and lower base plate or foot. Other wind jacks are connected toother portions of the trailer. If desired, more jacks can be used. Inuse, the jacks 188 level, stabilize, and balance the trailer 186 andvacuum loader 10 on driveways, inclined pavements, floors, and othersurfaces at the collection site during stationary vacuum operation ofthe vacuum loader 10.

The underframe of the trailer assembly 186 includes a set of wheelassemblies 192 positioned about the middle of the trailer 186. The wheelassemblies 192 comprise four wheels 194 and can have oil lubricated huband drums, electric brakes, and tandem axles. The trailer assembly canalso have a hydraulic surge braking system and a fire extinguisher 196.A gas tank with a gas inlet tube can be mounted to the trailer assembly186. A battery can be seated upon and secured to the trailer assembly186. The gas tank and battery are connected to a drive engine packagemounted on the trailer assembly.

The drive engine package can include a V-belt driven air blower, vacuumpump 170 (FIGS. 4 and 5), fan, or exhauster engine and a compressorengine or compressor. The drive engine or motor package can becontrolled by and operatively connected to a control panel 176 (FIG. 1).The air blower can be operatively connected to and driven by a motor viadrive belts 198 (FIGS. 4). The air blower (vacuum pump) creates a vacuum(suction) to draw dust and direct influent dusty air (air laden withparticulates of of asbestos and/or other particulate material) throughthe bagger unit 12 and vacuum loader 10.

Operation

The vacuum loader 10 with the direct bagger unit 12, the filtration andseparation unit 14, and the reinjection system 150 (compartment)effectively, efficiently, and safely collect and directly bag asbestosfibers, dust laden liquids, dry dusty materials, contaminated sand andsoil, and other particulate matter, without emitting, exposing, orleaking the collected material to the atmosphere. Total collectionvacuuming and direct bagging (collection directly in the bag) by thevacuum loader 10 and direct bagger unit 12 of asbestos, asbestoscontaminated soil and sand, both wet and dry materials, and contaminatedliquids, is very desirable to minimize contaimination and exposure ofpersonnel to the vacuumed material. Additionally, the vacuum loader 10provides a total vacuuming system which is under continuous negativepressure from the vacuuming hose inlet port to the vacuum producing pumpinlet port during all vacuuming cycles throughout the operating day andshift to substantially prevent the release of vacuumed, collected, orbagged asbestos or other dusty material to the atmosphere.

Prior to startup, a bag 44 comprising the container is slipped over thelower discharge end 34 of the upright tubular vacuum cylinder 30comprising the filling member. The bag 44 is secured, retained, andsealed to the exterior surface of the upright wall of the uprighttubular vacuum cylinder 30 with a rubber elastomeric band 46 or otherretainer means. The platen 70 is then elevated against the bottom of thebag 44 and raised and sealed to a position adjacent the dischargeopening 36 prior to dispensing the asbestos or other material into thebag 44.

Upon startup of the vacuum loader 10, a dusty fluid, such as air ladedwith asbestos or other dusty material is drawn and sucked into the inletof the bagger unit 12. In the bagger unit 12, a substantial amount ofasbestos or other material are partially centrifugally separated andremoved from the dusty fluid in the first centrifugal cyclone 24. Theremoved asbestos or other material is discharged from the dischargeopening 36 of the tubular vacuum cylinder into the bag 44.Advantageously, the first cyclone 24 and conical baffle 39 (deflector)substantially prevent upward backflow of asbestos or other material inthe bagger unit 12.

The partially dedusted air or other fluid is conveyed from the baggerunit 12 to the separation and filtration unit 14 via a discharge line 43where it is centrifugally separated in a second cyclone 104. Theremaining dusty fluid is partially filtered in the set of canisterfilters 114-117 (FIG. 4). The partially filtered fluid is furtherfiltered in a Hepa-type filter 134 to substantially remove the remainingasbestos or other material from the dusty fluid. The filters 114-117 canbe periodically cleaned by intermittently injecting pulses of air ontothe filters 114-117 with the pulsed air injectors 121-124. Thecentrifugally separated asbestos or other particulate material from thesecond cyclone 104 is collected in the dual valve reinjectioncompartment 150 and sequentially fed and recycled to the bagger unit 12.

Asbestos and other particulate material is dispensed and metered intothe container through the tubular vacuum cylinder 30 (filling member)under suction and negative pressure. When a desired amount of asbestosor other particulate material is dispensed into the container, such aswhen the bag 44 is almost filled, the platen 70 is lowered while theplaten 70 abuttingly engages and supports the bottom of the container.As the plate 70 is lowered, the bag 44 will slide downwardly along thetubular vacuum cylinder 30 by gravity flow under the weight of theasbestos or other material in the bag as the bag 44. The platen 70,retainer 48, and seal at the bottom of the vacuum cylinder 30,substantially prevent the asbestos and other vacuumed material fromcontacting and contaminating the exterior of the bag 44 and from beingemitted into the atmosphere about the operator during operation of thevacuum loader. After the bag 44 is filled to the desired amount withasbestos or other material, dispensing of the vacuumed asbestos andother material is suspended, the suction and negative pressure arepartially relieved, the platen is lowered, the bag 44 is turned,optionally spun, and twisted beneath the discharge opening 36 and bottomof the tubular vacuum cylinder 30 as shown in FIG. 3, and tied andsealed with a tie clip, twist tie, or by heat sealing. If desired, thebag 44 can be tied and sealed without being first turned, spun, andtwisted, but it is not as effective. The bag 44 is then cut or otherwisesevered from the tubular vacuum cylinder 30 leaving a remnant 200comprising the upper portion of the bag 44. The upper portion 200 of thebag is tied as well as the lower portion of the bag. The remnant 200remains retained and temporarily attached to the exterior surface of theupright wall of the vacuum cylinder 30. The severed bag 44 is thenremoved and placed in a truck or other storage area for transport anddisposal. Thereafter, a new bag 44 is slipped over the remnant 200 andattached to the outside of the tubular vacuum cylinder 30 by anotherretainer 46 (rubber band) and the filling cycle (sequence) is repeated.

The contaminated material is air conveyed under negative pressure to thedirect bagger unit 12 after passing through the reinjection system 150,which can be up to 1,000 feet away from the end of the vacuuming hose156 when vacuuming lightly wetted asbestos and up to 500 feet away whenvacuuming contaminated soil. Since the vacuuming hose 156 is alwaysunder continuous negative pressure while direct bagging material frombag fill to bag fill, there is always a negative pressure and suctionand never a static or positive air pressure condition in the vacuuminghose 156 and through the entire system.

The vacuumed material enters the direct bagger unit 12 where the firstcyclone 24 centrifugally separates out the bulk of vacuumed materialfrom the air stream for depositing directly into a single, double, ormultiple ply plastic bag 44. The plastic containment bags 44 are slippedover and retained on the outside surface of the vacuum cylinder 30 witha rubber band or other retainer 46 by the operator. After the plasticbag 44 is slipped over the vacuum cylinder 30 and the closed bottom endof the plastic bag 44 is pulled up against the open bottom end of thevacuum cylinder 30, the operator will raise the rubber faced baggerplaten 70 up to seal off the vacuum cylinder's full bottom orifice 36(discharge opening) resulting in a 100% vacuum seal for vacuumcollection of material, i.e. this places the plastic bag 44 between thestraight or slightly flared out vacuum cylinder's full orifice 36 withoptional gasketed bottom opening edge and the platen's rubber sealgasket. For additional support and containment, the bags 44 can beplaced in a steel, plastic, or fiberglass drum 45 (FIG. 2) upon theplaten 70.

The operator can vacuum fill the vacuum cylinder 30 and view the filllevel which is visible through the transparent plastic bags 44 and theone or more clear plastic observation ports 33 provided in the vacuumcylinder's vertical wall. When the desired material level is reached,the operator will push a remote electrical stop button which will open avacuum breaker 178 (FIG. 5) at the power vacuum unit's vacuum pump inletport. The vacuum breaker valve 202 (FIG. 5) will bypass approximately80% of the air flow and cause the vacuuming and flow of material tocease. The approximately 20% remaining air flow will continue to passthrough the entire system including the vacuuming hose running from thehose inlet port to the direct bagger unit 12, the 6 inch air linerunning from the direct bagger unit 12 to the vacuum power unit, thevacuum power unit, and the filtration unit 14 which has a final absoluteHepa filter 134. The Hepa filter 134 can filter virtually all,preferably at least about 99.97% of any dust when tested with 0.3 micronthermally generated particles. The vacuum loader 10 operates undernegative air pressure during all phases of the vacuuming operation. Theengine-driven positive displacement vacuum pump 170 runs continuously atall times to provide a continuous negative air condition to the entiresystem and preventing any possible asbestos dust release to theatmosphere.

The operator can lower the platen 70 with the partially filled bag 44causing the collected material to slide out from the interior of thevacuum tube 30 (cylinder) directly into the bag 44. Thereafter, theoperator will stop the platen's decent, spin the filled plastic bag 44to achieve a long twist for tape, tie, or preferably heat seal the bag,and then cut the bag twist at center or between ties. After cutting thefilled lower portion of the plastic bag 44 from the upper plastic bagportion or remnant 200 (FIG. 3) which will remain on the vacuum cylinder30 to provide a continuous negative air seal at the vacuum cylinder'sbottom opening 36 so as to prevent emissions of the vacuumed material.The operator will remove the tape sealed, tied, or preferably heatsealed bag 44 from the platen 70 and transfer the bag 44 to storage anddisposal.

The operator can slip another plastic bag 44 up over the bottom of thetied or heat sealed bag remnant 200 which has been left in place nearthe top of the vacuum cylinder 30. The operator can bring down anotherretainer band 46 over the top end of the new plastic bag 44. Theretainer bands 46 can be stored near the top of the vacuum cylinder 30.The operator can again raise the platen 70 up against the bag covereddischarge opening 36 of the vacuum cylinder 30 by depressing the raiseside of the closed center foot operated valve 90 located adjacent to thebagger support base 50. The foot valve 90 frees both the operator'shands for the operational functions. Desirably, with the closed centerfoot valve 90, the operator can stop the platen 70 at any desired heightwhen lowering it away from the vacuum tube 30. The desired platen heightwill vary with various bag fill level requirements. After the platen 70is raised and sealed against the bottom of the bag covered vacuumcylinder 30, another bag fill can commence by pushing the remote vacuumstart button which will again shut the vacuum breaker 178 located nearthe inlet of the vacuum pump 170 to resume vacuuming.

A 5 or 6 inch diameter vacuuming line or inlet hose 156 from the workarea can run across and communicate with the reinjection system airlock's 6" horizontal pipeline of inlet tee to pick up any carryover dustpreviously emitted from the bagger unit 12. Exiting from the bagger unit12, the air with entrained particulates of asbestos of other dust can bevacuumed via a 6 inch air line to the inlet of the second stage cycloneseparator 104. The second stage cyclone separator 104 centrifugallyseparates most of the carryover dust from the air stream for settlementand eventual flow through the dual 6" air lock valves 158 and 160 orairlock feeder of the reinjection system 150 (compartment) positionedbelow the second stage cyclone separator 104. The cleaner, centrifugallycycloned air will be drawn (sucked) upwardly and be filtered by the highefficiency cartridge filters 114-117 which will filter the particulatesdown to under 1 micron, preferably at an efficiency of about 99.5% atabout 0.33 microns. Collected dust on the surface of the filters 114-117can be reverse air-pulse cleaned by variable pulse speed, air pulseinjectors 121-124 for discharge through the dual air lock valves 158 and160 of the reinjection system 150 into a 6 inch vacuuming recycle line40 for redepositing (reinjection) and recycling into the direct baggerunit 12.

The dual valve reinjection system 150 (FIG. 5) can return any carryoverdust to the direct bagger unit 12 via the recycle line 42. In thepreferred embodiment, the reinjection system 150 (compartment) has adual 6 inch diameter automatic time cycled air lock valves 158 and 160with a 1/2 cubic foot reserve tube 152 providing a collection chamberbetween the valves 158 and 160. The top valve 158 will remain open for atime period to fill the reserve tube 152 by 50%. The lower valve 160will be shut during this period. When the reserve tube 152 reaches 50%full, the top valve 158 will close. After an overlap period of about twoseconds where both valves 158 and 160 are closed to maintain an airlock, the bottom valve 160 will open and allow the collected material todrop down and be swept away by the air stream in the vacuuming recycleline 40. After a time period of about three seconds, the bottom valve160 will close. After an overlap time period of about two seconds whereboth valves 158 and 160 are again closed to maintain an ait lock, thetop valve 158 will again open for another 50% fill time period. Theautomatic cycle timer will continue this cycling until the vacuumbreaker 178 is opened or the 12 volt the power is turned off to assurecontinuous reinjection of the carryover dust to the direct bagger unit12. Other air lock feeder mechanisms can be used.

The vacuum loader 12 has a first stage direct bagger 12 with acentrifugal cyclone separator 24 to separate the bulk of the particularmaterial for deposit directly into the plastic collection bag 44. Thesecond stage centrifugal separator 104 separates out most of the carryover for deposit to the reinjection air lock valves 158 and 160 of thereinjection system 150 below. The third stage cartridge filters 114-117filter out dust and particles down to under 1 micron. Air pulseinjectors 121-124 periodically reverse air pulse clean the membranesurfaces of the filters 114-117. The removed and centrifugally separatedfiltered particles fall by gravity to the reinjection air lock system150 below for recycling and reinjection into the bagger unit 12. Thefourth stage final absolute Hepa cartridge filter 134 further dedustsand filters the effluent air stream exiting the cartridge filters114-117. Desirably, the Hepa filter has a filtration efficiency of notless than about 99.97% when tested with 0.3 micron thermally generatedparticles.

In the preferred embodiment, the vacuum loader 10 has a vacuum powerpackage with a positive displacement vacuum pump 170 (FIG. 5) that isdriven by a 80 BHP engine or motor 180. The vacuum pump 170 can pullvacuum up to 16 inches (Hg) mercury (217 inches water). The blowerengine is started by turning the ignition switch to the on position andsubsequently turning the starter switch to start the engine. Preferably,the blower runs with the engine idling at 650 RMP for a 3 minute warm-upperiod. Since the vacuum breaker 178 is closed and the engine 180 is atidle, air flow will be approximately 25% of full flow in the vacuuminghose and vacuum loader system. The blower engine preferably operates at2800 rpm to vacuum the material. The air compressor engine is startedby: turning the ignition switch to the on position and subsequentlypushing the starter button to start the engine. The air compressor canprovide air pressure at about 100 psi for: reverse pulse air cleaning ofthe primary filters 114-117, operation of the vacuum breakers 178, andoperation of the dust reinjection system's dual air lock valves 158 and160.

When the operator engages the safety foot pedal valve 90 (FIG. 1) of thedirect bagger unit 12, the vacuum breaker valve 202 (FIG. 5) will closeand vacuuming will commence and continue until the direct bagger'scollection bag 44 is filled up to about a 2.5 foot high fill level.Preferably, during removal of the filled bag 44 from the direct baggerunit 12 and replacement of a new bag 44 on the vacuum cylinder 30: thevacuum pump engine and blower will continue to run at about 2800 rpmwhich will continue to provide continuous negative air flow to theentire vacuum loader system and the compressor engine will continue torun. However, the reverse air-pulse cleaning of the four cartridgefilters 114-117 will stop during this period as the dust reinjectionsystem's lower air lock valve 160 will close. After installing anotherplastic bag 44 over the vacuum cylinder 30, the operator can push thestart vacuuming button, which will close the vacuum breaker 178. Thiswill cause the conveying air to flow again through the inlet vacuuminghose 156 and vacuuming of particulate material to resume.

The direct bagger unit 12 can have a vacuum fill cylinder 30 with anedge seal gasket, a lift platen 70 with a gum rubber seal gasket, a liftcylinder 84, a center closed position foot valve 90 to stop the platen70 at any height, compressed air lines, a filter, a lubricator pressureregulator, a cyclone separator 24 with a 6 inch tangential entry portand 6 inch outlet port, a support structure, and a base 50. The directbagger unit 12 can be easily dissembled for manual movement and storage.A 6 inch diameter interconnecting hose 42 can connect the reinjectionpipe 153 to the direct bagger's 6 inch tangential inlet connection port26. A second 6 inch diameter interconnecting hose 43 can connect the 6inch diameter direct bagger's outlet port 28 to the vacuum power unit's6" diameter tangential inlet port 102. If desired, a moveable vacuumcylinder (filling tube) can be used with a stationary platen.

Applicant's vacuum loader, bagger unit, and process produced unexpectedsurprisingly good results in removing, collecting, sealing, anddisposing asbestos fibers and other particulate material overconventional vacuum cleaners (loaders).

Among the many advantages of the vacuum loader and process are:

1. Excellent separation and removal of asbestos fibers and largeparticulates of dusty material.

2. Continuous negative air in all phases of operation and prevention ofemissions.

3. Better solids-gas separation.

4. Compact collection of asbestos and other material.

5. Superior containment and sealing of the collected material.

6. Enhanced air purification.

7. Greatly reduced operator exposure to asbestos.

8. Good load-carrying, collection capacity.

9. Greater efficiency of operation.

10. Excellent dedusting.

11. Cost effective.

12. Economical.

13. Easy to install, remove, and repair.

14. Simple to use.

15. Less maintenance.

16. Effective.

17. Efficient.

18. Dependable.

19. Safe.

Although an embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, itis to be understood that various modifications and substitutions, aswell as rearrangements of parts and process steps, can be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the novel spirit and scope ofthis invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vacuum loader for removing asbestos hazardousmaterial, and other particulate matter, comprising:first separator meansfor partially dedusting and separating a substantial amount ofparticulates from a dusty fluid; second separator means positioneddownstream of and communicating with said first separator means forfurther dedusting and substantially removing the remaining particulatesfrom said partially dedusted fluid; first conduit means connected to andcommunicating with said first and second separator means for passingsaid partially dedusted fluid from said fluid separator means to saidsecond separator means; reinjection means located between andcommunicating with said first and second separator means, saidreinjection means comprising a collection chamber positioned downstreamof said second separator means for collecting particulates removed bysaid second separator means; inlet conduit means comprising an influentvacuuming hose connected directly to and communicating with saidcollection chamber for vacuuming a dusty fluid containing particulatesof asbestos or other material under a substantially continuous negativepressure and for passing said dusty fluid containing said particulatesto said collection chamber; and second conduit means positioneddownstream of said second separator means and connected to andcommunicating with said first separator means and said collectionchamber for feeding and recycling said collected particulates and saiddusty fluid from said collection chamber to said first separator means;and said reinjection means comprising substantially continuous air lockmeans for regulating ingress of said particulates into said collectionchamber and for regulating egress of said dusty fluid and saidparticulates into said recycle hose.
 2. A vacuum loader in accordancewith claim 1 wherein said first separator means further comprises abagger unit containing a baffle.
 3. A vacuum loader in accordance withclaim 1 wherein said second separator means comprises a cyclone and saidcollection chamber provides a reinjection compartment located betweenand communicating with said first and second separator means.
 4. Avacuum loader in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second separatormeans further comprises a set of filter canisters positioned above saidcollection chamber.
 5. A vacuum loader in accordance with claim 1wherein said continuous air lock means of said reinjection meansincludes dual air lock valves comprising a normally open inlet air lockvalve for regulating ingress of said particulates into said reinjectioncompartment and a normally closed outlet air lock valve for regulatingegress of said dusty fluid and said particulates into said recycle hose.6. A vacuum loader for removing asbestos, hazardous material, and otherparticulate matter, comprising:a vacuum operated bagger assembly havingan upper bulk separation chamber containing a first cyclone forpartially dedusting, substantially separating, and removing asubstantial amount of asbestos, hazardous material, or other particulatematter from a fluid laden with said asbestos, hazaradous material, orother particulate matter, a filling member comprising a foraminousvacuum cylinder extending downwardly from said first cyclone forsubstantially filling a cntainer with said removed asbestos, hazardousmaterial, or other particulate matter under negative pressure, asubstantially conical deflector positioned between said vacuum cylinderand said container for substantially minimizing backflow of said removedparticulate matter, platen means comprising a foot pedal valve and avertically reciprocating pneumatically powered platform actuated by saidfoot pedal valve for raising and lowering said container; separation andfiltering means positioned downstream of and communicating with saidvacuum operated bagger assembly, said separation and filtering meanshaving a second cyclone for further partially dedusting, separating, andremoving particulate matter from said fluid and having filtering meanspositioned downstream of said second cyclone for filtering saidpartially dedusted fluid; an inlet hose for drawing said fluid ladenwith said asbestos, hazardous material, and other particulate matterunder substantially continuous negative pressure; reinjection meanscomprising substantially continuous air lock means and a reinjectioncompartment positioned between and communicating with said first andsecond cyclones for collecting some of said particulate matter removedby said second cyclone, said reinjection means directly connected to andcommunicating with said inlet hose for collecting said fluid drawnthrough said inlet hose; and a recycle hose extending between andconnecting said reinjection means and said vacuum operated baggerassembly for injecting said collected particulate matter and said fluidinto said first cyclone under negative pressure.
 7. A vacuum loader inaccordance with claim 6 wherein:said filtering means comprises at leastone filter selected from the group consisting of a tubular filter, afilter canister, a Hepa-type filter, and a box-type filter; and saidcontainer is selected from the group consisting of a flexible containerand a rigid container, said flexible container comprising at least onebag selected from the group consisting of a plastic bag, a fabric bag, arubber bag, a woven metal bag, and a paper bag, and said rigid containerbeing selected from the group consisting of a metal drum, a fiberglassdrum, an impact resistant plastic drum, a barrel, a vessel, areceptacle, and a bin.
 8. A vacuum loader in accordance with claim 6including means for cleaning said filter, said filter cleaning meansbeing selected from the group consisting of a pulsed air injector, avibrator, and a mechanical shaker.
 9. A vacuum loader for removingasbestos, hazardous material, and other particulate matter, comprising:afirst stage bagger unit, comprisinga vacuum operated bagger assemblyhaving an upper bulk separation chamber with a roof providing a top anda lower asbestor dispensing chamber positioned substantially below saidupper bulk separation chamber, said upper bulk separation chambercontaining a centrifugal cyclone for making a gross cut and forseparating and removing a substantial amount of particulates of asbestosfrom an influent dusty air stream laden with particulates of asbestos,said upper bulk separation chamber having a radial inlet portcommunicating with said cyclone for feeding said influent dusty airstream to said cyclone and having an outlet port positioned above saidcyclone for discharging from said cyclone partially dedusted effluentair containing a lesser concentration of asbestos than said influentdusty air stream, said lower asbestos dispensing chamber comprising anelongated, substantially vertical, tubular vacuum cylinder providing anasbestos filling member extending downwardly below said cyclone fordischarging particulates of asbestos removed by said cyclone, saidvacuum cylinder having an upper inlet portion positioned adjacent saidcyclone and having an open ended, lower discharge portion defining adownwardly facing discharge opening positioned substantially below saidcyclone, said lower discharge portion having a seal gasket adjacent saiddischarge opening; an inlet and recycle flexible hose operativelyconnected to and communicating with said inlet port for ingress of saidinfluent dusty air stream into said cyclone of said vacuum operatedbagger assembly; an outlet discharge hose operatively connected to andcommunicating with said outlet port of said vacuum operated baggerassembly for egress of said partially dedusted effluent air from saidupper chamber of said vacuum operated bagger assembly; an elongatedplastic bag positioned externally about and abutting against saidtubular vacuum cylinder for receiving asbestos removed from said cyclonethrough said tubular vacuum cylinder; an elastomeric retainer forsecuring said bag to said vacuum cylinder; a base for stablizing andsupporting said vacuum operated bagger assembly, said base beingpositoned upon the ground, floor, or pavement and having side memberspositioned laterally outwardly of said vacuum operated assembly andrearwardly inclined back members extending between and connecting saidside members at a location spaced rearwardly of said vacuum operatedbagger assembly; an elongated upright arm assembly extending upwardlyfrom said base, said arm assembly having a substantially verticalelongated arm fixedly secured to and extending above said base to aheight above said vacuum cylinder, said vertical elongated arm beingspaced rearwardly of said vacuum operated bagger assembly, said armassembly having a substantially horizontal overhead arm cantileveredfrom and fixedly secured to an upper portion of said vertical elongatedarm, said horizontal overhead arm being substantially smaller than saidvertical elongated arm and extending forwardly of said verticalelongated arm to engage said upper chamber of said vacuum operatedbagger assembly, and said arm assembly having a connector for securingsaid horizontal overhead arm to said upper chamber to elevate and spacesaid vacuum operated bagger assembly above said base; a moveable platencomprising a substantially horizontal, arcuate support platform with anelastomeric pad for abuttingly engaging and supporting the bottom ofsaid bag or a drum containing said bag and having an upright curvedarcuate back extending upwardly and rearwardly from said horizontalsupport platform for abuttingly engaging and supporting a side portionof said bag or said drum; and a pneumatic power assembly for moving saidplaten up and down comprising an upright elongated slotted cylindricaltrack mounted against said vertical elongated arm, a lift cylindercomprising a vertically reciprocating piston positioned in said track, acoupling member securely connecting said lift cylinder to said back ofsaid platen, a compressed air tank connected to said lift cylinder, anda foot operated pedal valve operatively connected to said compressed airtank and said lift cylinder to lower said platen as said bag is beingfilled with said asbestos; and a trailerable separation and filtrationunit spaced externally of and moveable towards and away from said firststage separate bagger unit, said separation and filtration unitcomprisinga second stage cyclone compartment having a cyclone inletconnected to said outlet discharge hose for receiving partially dedustedair with carryover asbestos from said upper bulk separation chamber ofsaid bagger unit, said second stage cyclone compartment containing asecond cyclone comprising a tangential cyclone spaced externally andlaterally from said centrifugal cyclone in said upper bulk separationchamber of said bagger unit for further dedusting, separating, andremoving a substantial amount of particulate of asbestos from saidpartially dedusted air from said first stage bagger unit; a third stagefiltration compartment positioned above and communicating with saidsecond stage cyclone compartment, said third stage filtrationcompartment having a filtration chamber with a set of canisterscontaining tubular filters spaced along side of each other for partiallyfiltering effluent air containing particulates of asbestos from saidsecond stage cyclone compartment; a fourth stage filtration compartmentpositioned downstream and spaced laterally from said third stagefiltration compartment, said fourth stage filtration compartment locatedgenerally along side of said second stage cyclone compartment and saidthird stage filtration compartment, an intermediate conduit connectigsaid third stage filtration compartment and said fourth stage filtrationcompartment, and said third stage filtration compartment containing aHepa-type filter for substantially filtering and removing the remainingparticulates of asbestos from said partially filtered air from saidthird stage filtration compartment;a dual valve reinjection compartmentlocated below and communicating with said second stage cyclonecompartment, said reinjection compartment having a reservoir tubecomprising a collection chamber for receiving said asbestos removed bysaid tangential cyclone in said second stage cyclone compartment, saidreinjection compartment having an outlet connected to said recycle hosefor feeding said asbestos and influent dusty air laden with particulatesof asbestos to said bagger unit, an inlet communicating with saidreinjection compartment, a flexible influent hose connected to saidinlet for feeding influent dusty air laden with particulates of asbestosto said reinjection compartment, said reinjection compartment having afirst valve and a second valve, said first valve being normally open topermit passage of said asbestos removed from said tangential cyclone ofsaid second stage cyclone compartment into said reinjection compartmentand being closed to substantially maintain an air lock and block andprevent passage of said asbestos removed from said tangential cyclone ofsaid second stage cyclone compartment into said reinjection compartment,and said second valve being normally closed after said bag is filled tosubstantially maintain said air lock and block and prevent passage ofsaid influent dusty air and said collected asbestos in said reinjectioncompartment into said bagger unit and being periodically opened topermit ingress of said influent dusty air and said collected asbestosfrom said reinjection compartment into said bagger unit; and a vacuumpump selected from the group consisting of a pneumatic pump, air blower,fan, turbine, and compressor, communicating with said compartments andsaid bagger unit for drawing air containing said particulates ofasbestos through said compartments and said bagger unit.
 10. A vacuumloader in accordance with claim 9 wherein said third stage filteringcompartment includes a set of injectors for periodically injectingintermittent blasts of air upon said tubular filters to help clean saidtubular filters.
 11. A vacuum loader in accordance with claim 9 whereinsaid vacuum cylinder defines a set of apertures for relieving negativepressure and suction when said bag is filled and removed.
 12. A vacuumloader in accordance with claim 9 wherein said vacuum cylinder includesa transparent observation port and said platen includes a spacer safetyflange extending downwardly from said support platform for elevatingsaid support platform above the ground to substantially prevent saidsupport platform from engaging and crushing the toes of the operator.13. A vacuum loader in accordance with claim 9 wherein said vacuumoperated bagger assembly has a deflector positioned in proximity to saidvacuum cylinder for substantially preventing backflow and reentrainmentof said asbestos.
 14. A vacuum loader in accordance with claim 13wherein said deflector comprises at least one baffle selected from thegroup consisting of a conical baffle, a spiral baffle, a helical baffle,and an annular baffle.
 15. A vacuum loader in accordance with claim 13wherein said deflector comprises a triangular baffle with an upwardlypointing apex positioned below said cyclone.
 16. A process for removingasbestos or other material, comprising the steps of:positioning aflexible bag container about the discharge opening of a vacuum cylindercomprising a filling member of a bagger unit; supporting said bag with aplaten comprising a moveable platform; sealing said bag against saidvacuum cylinder including elevating said platen to move said bag insealing engagement with said vacuum cylinder; drawing a dusty fluidladen with asbestos or other material into an inlet of said bagger unit;dispensing asbestos or other material into said bag through said fillingmember under suction and negative pressure; and lowering said platenafter said asbestos or other material is dispensed into said bag; whileconcurrently abuttingly engaging and continuing to support said bag withsaid platen.
 17. A process in accordance with claim 16 including:ceasingsaid dispensing; closing said bag; severing said bag from said vacuumcylinder leaving a remnant retained to said vacuum cylinder; removingsaid severed bag; relieving at least some of said negative pressure; andslipping a new bag over said remnant and a portion of said vacuumcylinder.
 18. A process in accordance with claim 16 includingsubstantially preventing upward backflow of said asbestos or othermaterial from said bag to said filling member by baffling said asbestosor other material about said filling member.
 19. A process in accordancewith claim 16 including:partially centrifugally separating and removinga substantial amount of asbestos or other material from said dusty fluidin a first cyclone in said bagger unit before said dispensing; furthercentrifugally separating said partially centrifugally separated dustyfluid from said first cyclone in a second cyclone; partially filteringsaid centrifugally separated dusty fluid from said second cyclone in aset of filter canisters above said second cyclone; substantiallyremoving the remaining asbestos or other material from said partiallyfiltered dusty fluid by directing said partially filtered dusty fluidthrough a Hepa-type filter; vacuuming said dusty fluid with an inlethose; collecting said centrifugally separated asbestos or other materialfrom said second cyclone and said dusty fluid from said inlet hose in areinjection compartment under negative pressure; and feeding andrecycling said collected asbestos or other material along with saidfluid from said reinjection compartment to said first cyclone in saidbagger unit.